Water spills are a common mistake anyone can make. While usually harmless, one moment can have a huge effect and cost you hundreds in computer repairs.
We’re all waiting for the day when every laptop component is waterproof and protected from simple mistakes. While many types of phones are waterproof to help protect against damage, laptops haven’t caught on to the same need.
Until then, find out what to do when you spill water on your laptop.
What to Do When You Spill Water on Your Laptop
You might have moved your hand just slightly and come into contact with a cup. It might not have even been your fault – pets and kids have been known to stumble into full cups of water and leave them crashing onto surfaces.
When it happens, it only takes the blink of an eye. If water spills on your laptop, the first thing to do is remain calm. While it feels like a disaster, it’s a common problem that many laptops have come back from.
Keep in mind that you’ll need to move quickly when your laptop is exposed to any moisture. If you follow these five steps, you may be able to prevent the water from seeping into your laptop’s essential components:
- Isolate the spill
- Remove as much liquid as possible
- Take the laptop apart
- Use as much air as possible
- Wait patiently
Executing each step quickly and calmly is your best bet toward saving your laptop.
1. Isolate the Spill
When there’s spilled water on a laptop, chances are the puddle is spreading fast around the site of the accident. Immediately unplug your laptop from any components and remove it from the spill area.
The longer your laptop sits in a puddle of water, the more likely it is to retain damage. If you leave your laptop plugged in, the damage can also affect other devices like a mouse or monitor.
Furthermore, water near power sources can lead to electric shock. Turning off your laptop and isolating it from the spill is essential to protecting yourself just as much as the laptop. If you get water near your electrical wiring, you can cause big problems beyond laptop damage.
If you have a case on your laptop or are using any USB drives, remove those as well. The goal is to get your laptop as isolated as possible so you can isolate the spill and deal with the laptop quickly.
2. Remove as Much Liquid as Possible
To prevent as much water in the laptop as possible, grab a clean cloth or towel to immediately start wiping the outside. Focus on your keyboard since it’ll be easy for water to slip through the spaces in between the keys.
Work quickly, but try not to miss any spots. The more water you can remove from the outside, the less damage it might cause on the inside.
As soon as you’re done wiping off the laptop, open it as wide as you can and set it down upside down. By letting the laptop sit in this position, gravity will do its job to pull any water away from the essential internal components.
Let the laptop sit down for at least 15 minutes to let as much water move away from the inside as possible.
3. Take the Laptop Apart
If wiping and holding your laptop upside-down isn’t enough, it’s time to deconstruct your laptop as much as possible and get directly to the inside. The most you may be able to do is pop out your laptop battery, as the rest may be difficult to get to.
If you aren’t sure how to take your laptop apart successfully, hold off on this step. You may cause even more damage to your laptop or may even be left without knowing how to put it back together.
If you can remove your laptop battery or other components, carefully dry these parts with a towel as well.
4. Use as Much Air as Possible
Whether you’ve been able to deconstruct your laptop or you’re still on step two, use air to dry the rest of the laptop. The best method to use is compressed air since you’ll get a powerful, targeted stream.
If you don’t have compressed air, you can also use a hairdryer. Just be sure you’re using the hairdryer on the cool setting so you aren’t overheating any of the laptop’s components.
If all else fails, keep your laptop as open as possible and sitting upside down. Try to bring it as close as possible to a fan or other source of air.
5. Wait Patiently
The last step is the hardest. After you’ve done everything you can, leave the laptop alone in an upside-down position. If there’s any liquid left inside, you’ll need to wait for it to drain out before you can determine the damage (if any).
You might think that there’s more you should be doing, but there’s not much you can do if you’ve already followed the four steps above.
After at least 24 hours, check your laptop by turning it on and making sure it’s working properly.
Reach Out to Professional Laptop Repair Services
Knowing what to do when you spill water on your laptop is the best way to prevent serious damage. Unfortunately, we can’t always prevent simple mistakes like knocking over a cup of water.
If the water damage immediately seems severe or your laptop isn’t working after following our step-by-step guide, it’s time to reach out to professional services. A professional laptop repair technician is trained to work quickly and protect the key components from water damage.
Contact Fruit Fixed today for comprehensive laptop and computer repair services. Technicians are available to offer quality laptop repair in Virginia.
